Mar 30, 2018

Smart soil sensor technology launched

Teralytic, a manufacturer of wireless soil sensors has implemented Semtech LoRa devices and wireless radio frequency technology (LoRa Technology) in its wireless sensor to detect nitrogen, phosphate and potassium (NPK) levels in soil to help farmers reduce waste and to improve crop yields, Semtech announced March 28.

Farmers need real-time visibility into soil conditions while working in their fields. During growing season, manual soil tests may fail to provide the data growers need and this can cause farmers to either over fertilize or under fertilize, harming profits and/or the environment.

The Teralytic sensor is a battery-powered, meter long device that farmers stick into the ground. Packed inside are 26 different sensors that measure the surrounding soil’s NPK levels, pH levels, soil moisture, temperature, and aeration, as well as the temperature and humidity above ground.

“Lack of soil data during growing season lowers yields and profits as well as harms the environment. Farmers want a solution that allows them to maximize their profits,” said Steve Ridder, CEO and founder of Teralytic. “With Semtech’s LoRa Technology, we’re able to provide a sensor that is low cost, long-range and low power, which is essential for smart agriculture solutions.”

“Teralytic provides farmers with real-time data so they are more efficient with their fertilizer and generate better crop yields,” said Vivek Mohan, Director, Wireless and Sensing Products Group at Semtech. “Teralytic LoRa-based solution is empowering farmers to leverage low cost, low power technology that enables them to improve people’s daily lives and create a smarter planet.”

Teralytic launched its LoRa-enabled NPK soil sensor at the recent World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco on March 20, 2018.